Sacris Solemniis And Panis Angelicus. Corpus Christi Hymn Written By Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274).

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Sacris Solemniis and Panis Angelicus.

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Sacris Solemniis is a Hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) for the Feast of Corpus Christi. The strophe of Sacris Solemniis, that begins with the words "Panis Angelicus" (Bread of Angels), has often been set to music separately from the rest of the Hymn. Most famously, in 1872, César Franck set this strophe for voice (tenor), harp, cello, and organ, and incorporated it into his Messe à trois voix, Opus 12. The Hymn expresses the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, in which the Bread and Wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.

The phenomenon, whereby the strophe of Sacris Solemniis that begins with the words "Panis Angelicus" is often treated as a separate Hymn, has occurred also with other Hymns that Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote for Corpus Christi: Verbum Supernum Prodiens (the last two strophes begin with "O Salutaris Hostia"), Adoro Te Devote (the strophe beginning with "Pie Pelicane, Jesu Domine"), and Pange Lingua Gloriosi (the last two strophes begin with "Tantum Ergo", in which case the word "Ergo" ["therefore"] makes evident that this part is the continuation of a longer Hymn).

SACRIS SOLEMNIIS

AND PANIS ANGELICUS.

Sacris solemniis

iuncta sint gaudia,

et ex praecordiis

sonent praeconia;

recedant vetera,

nova sint omnia,

corda, voces, et opera.

Noctis recolitur

cena novissima,

qua Christus creditur

agnum et azyma

dedisse fratribus,

iuxta legitima

priscis indulta patribus.

Post agnum typicum,

expletis epulis,

Corpus Dominicum

datum discipulis,

sic totum omnibus,

quod totum singulis,

eius fatemur manibus.

Dedit fragilibus

corporis ferculum,

dedit et tristibus

sanguinis poculum,

dicens: Accipite

quod trado vasculum;

omnes ex eo bibite.

Sic sacrificium

istud instituit,

cuius officium

committi voluit

solis presbyteris,

quibus sic congruit,

ut sumant, et dent ceteris.

Panis angelicus

fit panis hominum;

dat panis caelicus

figuris terminum;

O res mirabilis:

manducat Dominum

pauper, servus et humilis.

Te, trina Deitas

unaque, poscimus:

sic nos tu visita,

sicut te colimus;

per tuas semitas

duc nos quo tendimus,

ad lucem quam inhabitas.

Amen.

English translation.

At this our solemn feast

let holy joys abound,

and from the inmost breast

let songs of praise resound;

let ancient rites depart,

and all be new around,

in every act, and voice, and heart.

Remember we that eve,

when, the Last Supper spread,

Christ, as we all believe,

the Lamb, with leavenless bread,

among His brethren shared,

and thus the Law obeyed,

of all unto their sire declared.

The typic Lamb consumed,

the legal Feast complete,

the Lord unto the Twelve

His Body gave to eat;

the whole to all, no less

the whole to each did mete

with His own hands, as we confess.

He gave them, weak and frail,

His Flesh, their Food to be;

on them, downcast and sad,

His Blood bestowed He:

and thus to them He spake,

"Receive this Cup from Me,

and all of you of this partake.

"So He this Sacrifice

to institute did will,

and charged His priests alone

that office to fulfill:

to them He did confide:

to whom it pertains still

to take, and the rest divide.

Thus Angels' Bread is made

the Bread of man today:

the Living Bread from heaven

with figures dost away:

O wondrous gift indeed!

the poor and lowly may

upon their Lord and Master feed.

Thee, therefore, we implore,

O Godhead, One in Three,

so may Thou visit us

as we now worship Thee;

and lead us on Thy way,

That we at last may see

the light wherein Thou dwellest aye.

Amen.